(Enid, OK) Waukomis Public Schools patrons narrowly voted in favor of a $7.375 million bond, the largest the district has ever proposed.
The vote was 189-125, or 60.19%, in favor. School bond issues require a 60% super-majority to pass. If one yes vote went against the bond issue, the vote will not have reached the need 60% to pass.
About 90% of the bond will go toward construction of a new elementary school and adjoining cafeteria/kitchen.
Residents of Waukomis, who pay property taxes and live in the school district, will see a 16.25% annual percentage increase over 10 years starting with the 2021-22 tax year.
The new building would sit on the district’s 8-acre lot north of the Dome, the storm shelter-gymnasium facility built from the $2.49 million bond issue voters passed in 2013, with over half of that bond issue still set to be paid off.
This new school would have 18 classrooms, three more than the current elementary school, with rooms being wider because construction would shorten the 12-foot-wide hallways.
The current cafeteria, built in 1960, seats about 78 with the new facility doubling that number to 168 seats and would include new tables, kitchen appliances and a three-step stage for banquet events.
The $7.3 million bond issue will also be applied to:
• Safety equipment funding to replace the intercom system and add more secure doors around the campus.
• Upgrades for the band, including new instruments, chairs, stands and flooring.
• New retractable bleachers on the south side of the gym, including bleachers for the school’s baseball and softball fields.
• Parking lots will be redone for about $150,000
